What Are The Best Bass Fishing Lakes in Pennsylvania?
Bass fishing in Pennsylvania offers a rich and varied experience, with its numerous lakes providing prime habitats for both largemouth and smallmouth bass. This guide highlights the best bass fishing lakes in Pennsylvania and offers expert tips to ensure a productive and enjoyable fishing trip.
The Top 5 Best Bass Fishing Lakes In Pennsylvania
- Presque Isle Bay
- Allegheny River
- Raystown Lake
- Lake Wallenpaupack
- Lake Arthur
Learn more below about each body of water mentioned and what makes them the best bass fishing lakes in Pennsylvania.
Presque Isle Bay
Presque Isle Bay, located in Erie, Pennsylvania, is a premier bass fishing destination known for its prolific smallmouth and largemouth bass populations. Covering approximately 3,655 acres, this bay offers diverse fishing opportunities with an average depth of 20 feet and a maximum depth of around 30 feet. The bay’s structure includes weed beds, rocky areas, and submerged timber, providing excellent habitats for bass. The close proximity to the city of Erie ensures easy access to amenities and services for anglers. Presque Isle Bay’s relatively calm waters, combined with its abundant forage, make it a hotspot for both novice and seasoned anglers.
Recently, Presque Isle Bay earned the accolade* of being listed as one of the 100 Best Bass Lakes by BASSMASTER, ranking #13 in the Northeastern Division.
*Source: Hicks, M. (2024, July/August). 2024’s BASSMASTER 100 Best Bass Lakes. Bassmaster, 42-43.
Expert Bass Fishing Tips for Presque Isle Bay: Focus on fishing around the weed beds and rocky points where bass are likely to hide. Early morning and late evening are the best times to fish, as bass are more active and feed more aggressively during these periods.
Allegheny River
The Allegheny River, flowing through western Pennsylvania, is an exceptional spot for bass fishing, particularly known for its robust smallmouth bass population. Stretching over 325 miles, this river meanders through scenic landscapes, including the city of Pittsburgh. The river’s average depth ranges between 12 to 18 feet, with some deeper sections reaching up to 45 feet, providing diverse habitats for bass. The Allegheny River’s structure, featuring rocky shoals, deep pools, and abundant vegetation, creates ideal conditions for bass to thrive. Its clear waters and steady current offer excellent opportunities for anglers to engage in both bank and boat fishing.
Expert Bass Fishing Tips for Allegheny River: Target the rocky shoals and submerged structures where smallmouth bass often congregate. Utilize crayfish imitations and jigs, especially during the summer months when bass are more active and feeding aggressively.
Raystown Lake
Raystown Lake, located in central Pennsylvania near the town of Huntingdon, is a premier destination for bass fishing enthusiasts. This expansive reservoir covers approximately 8,300 acres and stretches over 30 miles in length. The lake has an average depth of 80 feet and reaches a maximum depth of around 200 feet, creating diverse habitats for both largemouth and smallmouth bass.
Raystown Lake’s clear waters, submerged timber, rocky points, and deep channels provide ideal conditions for bass to thrive. The surrounding natural beauty and well-maintained facilities make it a popular spot for both fishing and recreation. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission actively manages the lake, ensuring a sustainable and healthy bass population, and contributing to its reputation as a top fishing location.
Expert Bass Fishing Tips for Raystown Lake: Focus on fishing deeper waters during the summer months when bass move to cooler depths. Utilizing electronics to locate submerged structures and using deep-diving crankbaits or drop-shot rigs can increase your chances of success.
Lake Wallenpaupack
Lake Wallenpaupack, situated in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania, is a top destination for bass fishing. Spanning approximately 5,700 acres with 52 miles of shoreline, this man-made lake offers diverse fishing opportunities. The average depth of Lake Wallenpaupack is around 30 feet, with the deepest sections reaching up to 60 feet.
Its varied structure, including rocky points, submerged islands, and weed beds, provides excellent habitats for both largemouth and smallmouth bass. The lake’s clear, cool waters and abundant forage make it an ideal environment for bass to thrive. Nearby towns like Hawley and Tafton provide convenient access to the lake, along with ample amenities for visitors.
Expert Bass Fishing Tips for Lake Wallenpaupack: Target rocky points and weed beds where bass are likely to be hiding. Early morning and late evening are prime times to fish, as bass are more active and feed more aggressively during these periods.
Lake Arthur
Lake Arthur, located in Moraine State Park in western Pennsylvania, is a prime location for bass fishing. This 3,225-acre lake, situated near the town of Portersville, offers diverse habitats ideal for both largemouth and smallmouth bass. With an average depth of 12 feet and a maximum depth of 36 feet, Lake Arthur features various structures such as submerged timber, weed beds, rocky points, and coves that provide excellent cover for bass.
The lake’s clean waters and abundant forage, including minnows, crayfish, and aquatic insects, create optimal conditions for bass to thrive, making it a favorite among local anglers and visitors alike. The surrounding park area offers additional amenities such as boat ramps, fishing piers, and picnic areas, making it a great destination for a full day of outdoor activities. Seasonal changes bring varied fishing opportunities, with spring and fall being particularly productive times for bass fishing due to the fish’s active feeding patterns.
Expert Bass Fishing Tips for Lake Arthur: Focus on fishing near submerged timber, weed beds, and rocky points where bass tend to congregate. Utilizing soft plastics, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits can be particularly effective, especially during the early morning and late evening when bass are most active.
Why You Should Consider Bass Fishing In Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is a prime destination for bass fishing, offering diverse and abundant opportunities for anglers. With over 86,000 miles of streams and rivers, and 4,000 inland lakes and ponds, the state boasts an impressive range of fishing environments. Key destinations like Lake Erie, Pymatuning Reservoir, and Raystown Lake are renowned for their rich bass populations. Lake Erie, for instance, is celebrated for its smallmouth bass, with anglers often catching trophy-sized fish exceeding 6 pounds.
Furthermore, the state offers ample resources for anglers, including detailed fishing reports, interactive maps, and accessible fishing spots. Whether you’re seeking largemouth or smallmouth bass, Pennsylvania’s varied waters, and robust management practices make it an exceptional choice for bass fishing enthusiasts.
